Dirty money
Simon Cotton takes a look at those compounds that find themselves in the news or relate to our everyday lives
Is our cash contaminated?
Yes, with illicit drugs. In 2007 a Dublin City University team led by Professor Brett Paull completed a survey of Euro notes in Dublin and found virtually 100 per cent had levels of cocaine (1) ranging from 2-200 nanograms, and similar results have been found using £10 and £20 notes in the London area, and with dollar bills in the US.
How does it get there?
Cocaine users may roll up a note to make a tube to 'snort' cocaine, so that particular note becomes heavily contaminated. When these notes come into contact with other notes, for example in a counting machine at a bank, some of the cocaine is transferred to other notes.
Simon Cotton discusses drug contaminated cash
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